The last week of September usually signals the end of the peak summer season in Qatar but this early, some photographers are already enjoying the outdoors by organising social events like ‘photo walks’. One such event was organised by Facebook group ‘Photo Walk Qatar’, which attracted a good number of shutterbugs to Souq Waqif for a photo walk that carried the theme ‘Diversity of Souq’.

Not only was the event an opportunity to immortalise Souq Waqif’s quaint appeal in photographs, the photo walk was designed to meet new people and share the love of photography, according to organiser Ijas Mohamed. “There are a number of reasons why photo walks are a great idea. The sense of creativity is boosted by movement and exposure to changing scenery. When I’m by myself I see my surroundings from a different perspective. “But when I’m with a group of people I enjoy seeing things from their perspective. I am challenged to use my photographic skills and tools in a different way and react to changing situations. At the end of the walk, I take pride in the new friends I made,” Mohamed told Gulf Times.

According to Mohamed, photo walks and similar activities are a good way to help promote Qatar as a tourist destination since the output are usually uploaded via social media, blogs, and other websites. “The Souq is bustling with people walking around the alleys, window-shopping, or enjoying shisha with friends and family at the restaurants. It provides an excellent place for people to gather, eat, and shop. “The architecture and colour tone has a vibrant effect on each frame. There are lots of people around us; that is also important for a good photographer. I personally think the Souq is the best place for a photo walk inside Doha,” he pointed out.

In June, Photo Walk Qatar attracted eight participants in its first activity at Souq Waqif. But with the help of social media and other websites, more people learned about the second photo walk and attracted as many as 23 photographers from India, Qatar, Ireland, South Africa, Pakistan, Brazil, and the Philippines. This early, Mohamed said the group has not yet decided to organise a photo exhibit to showcase their works but the output of the photo walk will be published on Photo Walk Qatar and on Instagram. According to Mohamed, the participants are eyeing a third photo walk on the first week of October with the hope of attracting more photographers from Qatar.

“Anyone can join the photo walk whether amateurs or professionals; and even those who don’t have a camera but are interested in learning photography are welcome to join,” said Mohamed, who added that there are also many mobile phone photographers and Instagrammers in Qatar.